BA Cabin Crew Strike Threats (Merged)
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BA - Best Avoided
cresmer-
Can someone publish the package these people (new hires, 10 years service, 20 years service etc) earn per month, including allowances plus the number of hours they have to WORK each month to earn that income?
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I cannot believe that BA cabin crew are voting for a 12 day strike at the busiest travel period of the whole year.
BA cabin crew are of the most dedicated and professional of all cabin crew I know. I have travelled four times UK - USA this year twice in BA club and twice in economy. Each flight has shown me the dedication these people show to their roles.
This is why I cannot believe they would vote to strike for TWELVE DAYS over the major peak trade for any airline. What is behind this.
Come on BA crew, live in the real world. I work in travel too and was told in September last year of a Global pay freeze in my company. We all accepted this. BA will go under if this goes ahead. I suspect a hard handed Union. If so they have got it wrong. We all need to make sacrifices to survive in travel at the moment. If its not these cuts it will be no fee alcohol or no meals. Do you really want to work for a Ryanair ?
Come on Unite, please work with the trade and the public on this, everyone wants BA to survive as a strong global airline but if this strike happens you will become a third rate fourth choice airline. See the big picure, please !!
hamsco
BA cabin crew are of the most dedicated and professional of all cabin crew I know. I have travelled four times UK - USA this year twice in BA club and twice in economy. Each flight has shown me the dedication these people show to their roles.
This is why I cannot believe they would vote to strike for TWELVE DAYS over the major peak trade for any airline. What is behind this.
Come on BA crew, live in the real world. I work in travel too and was told in September last year of a Global pay freeze in my company. We all accepted this. BA will go under if this goes ahead. I suspect a hard handed Union. If so they have got it wrong. We all need to make sacrifices to survive in travel at the moment. If its not these cuts it will be no fee alcohol or no meals. Do you really want to work for a Ryanair ?
Come on Unite, please work with the trade and the public on this, everyone wants BA to survive as a strong global airline but if this strike happens you will become a third rate fourth choice airline. See the big picure, please !!
hamsco
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Tomkins and jetset lady: I'm sure that I speak for many people when I say that you are to be commended for telling Unite to get stuffed. Good luck with your attempts to provide a service to your customers whilst the dinosaurs are out on strike.
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BA - Best Avoided
BA has some good pilots, some excellent aeroplanes, and has a route network that most airline execs would drool over, but the airline is badly let down by crappy ground staff and some of the crappiest CC in the world.
As for the cretins who lead the CC unions: words almost fail me. Proving to your customers that they don't need you is just about the most stupid thing that anyone in any service industry can do.
If BA was a horse, I'd have it put down.
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"Mr Brown is not goinig to let BA go down under his watch!"
no but he will let it go into administration and New BA emerge (prob in a pre pack deal)
I wonder what it will look like?
no but he will let it go into administration and New BA emerge (prob in a pre pack deal)
I wonder what it will look like?
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Airline Labor Unions Killing their golden goose. Frederick Dubinsky responsible for the bankruptcy of United Airlines, High Union costs destroy airline Jobs
what happened before
BA Cabin Crew Strike Ballot 2009 update - British Airways'
Walsh press release
A message from Willie Walsh
You may have heard that Unite, the union that represents our cabin crew, has threatened strike action between December 22, 2009 and January 2, 2010.
Let me say immediately we will do everything we can to assist you at what will clearly be a very difficult time if strikes go ahead. We are working hard on contingency plans, and will announce them as soon as they are finalised.
We are also urging Unite to return to the negotiating table. There are important issues on which we have asked them to put forward new ideas.
Strike action is completely unjustified.
It's no secret that British Airways is in financial difficulty. Like other global airlines, we have been hit extremely hard by the slump in business travel brought on by the world recession.
We lost £400m last year and will lose at least as much this year. These are the worst financial results in our history. Our revenue is down £1 billion, so reducing costs is absolutely essential even to begin heading back toward profitability and long-term survival.
Many of my colleagues understand this. Our pilots have agreed a pay cut. Our engineers have agreed more efficient ways of working. A third of our managers have accepted voluntary redundancy. And nearly 7,000 colleagues volunteered for salary reductions because they wanted to help this great British company in a time of need.
But our cabin crew union has refused to engage in this process seriously.
My admiration for the professionalism and skills of British Airways cabin crew is second to none. They are an absolutely vital part of our airline, and a great asset. But they have been disgracefully misled by Unite as to how our company-wide cost reduction programme would affect them.
Unite claims that we are trying to "intimidate workers into accepting poorer contracts", forcing crew to leave the company, and "attacking" their pay and allowances.
This is fiction. Our package involves no reduction in terms or conditions for existing crew. Our Heathrow crew will remain the best paid in the industry. Average earnings for cabin services directors are £56,000 on long-haul and £52,000 on short-haul. For junior crew, they are £35,000 and £26,000 respectively. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, average costs of BA crew are twice those of their Virgin Atlantic counterparts.
In fact, despite our financial backdrop, more than 10,000 of our cabin crew will receive pay rises of between two and seven per cent this year, and again next year. In the worst recession since the Second World War, these are increases many employees in other walks of life can only dream about.
We have created opportunities for voluntary redundancy, and more than 1,000 crew have taken that option. Similarly, more than 3,000 crew have volunteered to switch to part-time working.
To accommodate these requests, we have made a small change in our onboard crew numbers from Heathrow, without affecting service standards. Our Gatwick flights have been operating on equivalent crew numbers for years - with Unite's agreement.
Unite's chief complaint seems to be that we are "imposing" the changes at Heathrow. The truth is we had been discussing them with the union for nine months but, despite all the evidence of the company's (and the industry's) financial plight, Unite would not be realistic about the clear imperative to reduce costs.
We could not wait any longer. We moved ahead, making sure that our changes were squarely based on voluntary choices for individuals.
Unite claims the changes affect contractual terms and conditions. We believe they do not. The union failed to gain an injunction to prevent their introduction, but a full court hearing to settle the contractual question has been set for February 2010.
We do not understand why Unite is threatening you with disrupted travel plans now over an issue that the courts are preparing to resolve in a few weeks.
A strike can achieve nothing except huge upset and inconvenience for you. We will do our best to provide as much help and support as we can.
Willie Walsh
Last Updated: 15:22 - 14 December 2009
what happened before
BA Cabin Crew Strike Ballot 2009 update - British Airways'
Walsh press release
A message from Willie Walsh
You may have heard that Unite, the union that represents our cabin crew, has threatened strike action between December 22, 2009 and January 2, 2010.
Let me say immediately we will do everything we can to assist you at what will clearly be a very difficult time if strikes go ahead. We are working hard on contingency plans, and will announce them as soon as they are finalised.
We are also urging Unite to return to the negotiating table. There are important issues on which we have asked them to put forward new ideas.
Strike action is completely unjustified.
It's no secret that British Airways is in financial difficulty. Like other global airlines, we have been hit extremely hard by the slump in business travel brought on by the world recession.
We lost £400m last year and will lose at least as much this year. These are the worst financial results in our history. Our revenue is down £1 billion, so reducing costs is absolutely essential even to begin heading back toward profitability and long-term survival.
Many of my colleagues understand this. Our pilots have agreed a pay cut. Our engineers have agreed more efficient ways of working. A third of our managers have accepted voluntary redundancy. And nearly 7,000 colleagues volunteered for salary reductions because they wanted to help this great British company in a time of need.
But our cabin crew union has refused to engage in this process seriously.
My admiration for the professionalism and skills of British Airways cabin crew is second to none. They are an absolutely vital part of our airline, and a great asset. But they have been disgracefully misled by Unite as to how our company-wide cost reduction programme would affect them.
Unite claims that we are trying to "intimidate workers into accepting poorer contracts", forcing crew to leave the company, and "attacking" their pay and allowances.
This is fiction. Our package involves no reduction in terms or conditions for existing crew. Our Heathrow crew will remain the best paid in the industry. Average earnings for cabin services directors are £56,000 on long-haul and £52,000 on short-haul. For junior crew, they are £35,000 and £26,000 respectively. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, average costs of BA crew are twice those of their Virgin Atlantic counterparts.
In fact, despite our financial backdrop, more than 10,000 of our cabin crew will receive pay rises of between two and seven per cent this year, and again next year. In the worst recession since the Second World War, these are increases many employees in other walks of life can only dream about.
We have created opportunities for voluntary redundancy, and more than 1,000 crew have taken that option. Similarly, more than 3,000 crew have volunteered to switch to part-time working.
To accommodate these requests, we have made a small change in our onboard crew numbers from Heathrow, without affecting service standards. Our Gatwick flights have been operating on equivalent crew numbers for years - with Unite's agreement.
Unite's chief complaint seems to be that we are "imposing" the changes at Heathrow. The truth is we had been discussing them with the union for nine months but, despite all the evidence of the company's (and the industry's) financial plight, Unite would not be realistic about the clear imperative to reduce costs.
We could not wait any longer. We moved ahead, making sure that our changes were squarely based on voluntary choices for individuals.
Unite claims the changes affect contractual terms and conditions. We believe they do not. The union failed to gain an injunction to prevent their introduction, but a full court hearing to settle the contractual question has been set for February 2010.
We do not understand why Unite is threatening you with disrupted travel plans now over an issue that the courts are preparing to resolve in a few weeks.
A strike can achieve nothing except huge upset and inconvenience for you. We will do our best to provide as much help and support as we can.
Willie Walsh
Last Updated: 15:22 - 14 December 2009
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JSL
It is a shame that the LGW BA operation cannot be spun off and operate as a stand alone.
You guys down there operate a tight ship and give a good service, despite some old equipment and seemingly always gettimg the rough end of the deal.
Keep your chin up, those of us who travel regularly are aware that LGW is not a militant base
Please, if any of you are flying in the next couple weeks, do not tar us all with the same brush and if you do get the urge to tell us your version of some "home truths", stop and think first.
You guys down there operate a tight ship and give a good service, despite some old equipment and seemingly always gettimg the rough end of the deal.
Keep your chin up, those of us who travel regularly are aware that LGW is not a militant base
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knowitall has it the nail on the head....
They will let it go down and re-surface under a new name and offer new contracts to ALL employees sadly we saw this happen in Belgium and Switzerland, even Italy and Greece recently, the problem is that whoever gets re-employed will be given new T&Cs, these will be far worse than the current ones and indeed the ones that all this debacle is creating...
Think long and hard at what you are doing guys because what your dear Union man has not pointed out to you are the above consequences and it will happen.
There will be plenty of people more than happy to join the "new" BA even with the new T&Cs especially in this recession when lots of folks are jobless...
Good Luck to you all fellow colleagues.
They will let it go down and re-surface under a new name and offer new contracts to ALL employees sadly we saw this happen in Belgium and Switzerland, even Italy and Greece recently, the problem is that whoever gets re-employed will be given new T&Cs, these will be far worse than the current ones and indeed the ones that all this debacle is creating...
Think long and hard at what you are doing guys because what your dear Union man has not pointed out to you are the above consequences and it will happen.
There will be plenty of people more than happy to join the "new" BA even with the new T&Cs especially in this recession when lots of folks are jobless...
Good Luck to you all fellow colleagues.
Having recently watched Finnair pilots strike and ground workers walk out, both of which did not last long, I´m amazed at the obvious hysteria here 
After all, it´s "just" a cabin crew strike so maybe all of you should take a breath and relax some...
Is it OK to be worried? Yes
Is it OK to be frustrated due to a change in personal travel plans? Yes
Is it OK to be hysterical about it? No, because cabin crew are replaceable and a cabin crew strike hardly ever brought an airline down
After all, it´s "just" a cabin crew strike so maybe all of you should take a breath and relax some...Is it OK to be worried? Yes
Is it OK to be frustrated due to a change in personal travel plans? Yes
Is it OK to be hysterical about it? No, because cabin crew are replaceable and a cabin crew strike hardly ever brought an airline down
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Seems I was correct...........
"Our Heathrow crew will remain the best paid in the industry. Average earnings for cabin services directors are £56,000 on long-haul and £52,000 on short-haul. For junior crew, they are £35,000 and £26,000 respectively. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, average costs of BA crew are twice those of their Virgin Atlantic counterparts." Willie Walsh
Tell me, in which London bar or restaurant can Cabin Crew earn this sort of money? Maybe many should start job-searching?
I think Cabin Crew will soon realise they are much better off where they are so they should cancel their UNION-INSPIRED strike action.
Tell me, in which London bar or restaurant can Cabin Crew earn this sort of money? Maybe many should start job-searching?
I think Cabin Crew will soon realise they are much better off where they are so they should cancel their UNION-INSPIRED strike action.
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Ta
Thanks BA - get into LHR on 29th from Perth Oz. God knows now if I will be able to get to Glasgow - my mum hasn't seen myself or my wife/kids for four years and we only have a week with her. I can't change my booking to British Midland just in case either.
Screw BA - too many choices now. After a crap flight with them 5 years I swore I wouldn't use them again but relented - god do I rue that now.
Screw BA - too many choices now. After a crap flight with them 5 years I swore I wouldn't use them again but relented - god do I rue that now.
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Finn,
Agree with you entirely. Contrary to what they may think CC don't belong to a skilled, high tech trade group, their training is conducted over a relatively short period of time and is not particularly demanding (although most of them will have you believe it is!). There are many others out there ready and willing to change places with them and once gone you are very soon forgotten. TWA many years ago springs to mind. The only bargaining tool the Union has at the moment is the close proximity of the proposed strike action. Even the French Air Traffic Controllers wouldn't dream of holding their "annual" strike at Christmas!!!
Agree with you entirely. Contrary to what they may think CC don't belong to a skilled, high tech trade group, their training is conducted over a relatively short period of time and is not particularly demanding (although most of them will have you believe it is!). There are many others out there ready and willing to change places with them and once gone you are very soon forgotten. TWA many years ago springs to mind. The only bargaining tool the Union has at the moment is the close proximity of the proposed strike action. Even the French Air Traffic Controllers wouldn't dream of holding their "annual" strike at Christmas!!!
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Hoofie, the train from LHR to Glasgow is fine if you have to. Heathrow Express to Paddington, Circle Line (or a taxi if you've got a lot of luggage) to Euston/Euston Square, train direct to Glasgow. There are variations involving different combinations of underground to get to Euston. Depending on how many children you have with you ask the ticket vendor if it's worth your while buying a Family and Friends railcard for the journey: you're spending enough that the (immense) discount might cost in on a single return journey.
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Tell me, in which London bar or restaurant can Cabin Crew earn this sort of money? Maybe many should start job-searching?
Interesting statistics from the CAA
Airline Personnel Cost
Which group on that list would get anywhere near that amount of money if they ended up working for anybody outside an airline? BA does stick out like a sore thumb, but even with that, it's actually probably cabin crew.
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travel
Just a reminder to all trying to travel in europe that BA Cityflyer is still running our schedule so flights may be available from London city Airport. We operate AMS, GLA, EDI, FRA, ZRH, NCE, MAD
And Sunair to BLL
And Sunair to BLL
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After the fiasco of the CC strike in 2007 and being badly caught out by it, I just decided that for leisure use a non militant air-line and for business where someone else was paying I didnt care.
I made the right choice, no xmas screw up for me but dare say the flight will now be full.
Whatever the rights or wrongs, BA is in the endgame of its existence, a full 12 days strike on its own must eat up a substantial chunk of BAs cash reserves and with their daily losses - ouch.
I made the right choice, no xmas screw up for me but dare say the flight will now be full.
Whatever the rights or wrongs, BA is in the endgame of its existence, a full 12 days strike on its own must eat up a substantial chunk of BAs cash reserves and with their daily losses - ouch.
My preference for many years has always been to fly BA whenever possible, and that's my personal money - not company travel, since I have almost always felt well treated and enjoyed their service - and a significant part of this has been down to the enthusiasm and standard of the BA cabin crew.
But this strike decision has very quickly and definitively changed my view and where my money will be going for travel plans for the future.
The union and those that have voted to strike have contempt and disregard for the fare paying customers and ignorance of the level of consequential customer reaction that this will trigger. Family and friends who have flights booked (since many months) over Christmas are now stuck and facing hard and costly decisions to make alternative arrangements. Thanks, BA cabin crew!
Although I would sympathise about eroding of terms and conditions, it doesn't take a genius to look at other airlines and industries, not just aviation or service sector, and to see how they are similarly being impacted by this worldwide situation. You may not like what Willie Walsh has done, but do you seriously believe anyone else would have acted any differently to try to keep BA as a viable business?
To those concerned, I hope you enjoy your strike reflecting your union's suicide tactics and the inevitability that your redundancy is now fast approaching. To those cabin crew that have not voted to strike, but now face an even harder future, you have my sympathy.
But this strike decision has very quickly and definitively changed my view and where my money will be going for travel plans for the future.
The union and those that have voted to strike have contempt and disregard for the fare paying customers and ignorance of the level of consequential customer reaction that this will trigger. Family and friends who have flights booked (since many months) over Christmas are now stuck and facing hard and costly decisions to make alternative arrangements. Thanks, BA cabin crew!
Although I would sympathise about eroding of terms and conditions, it doesn't take a genius to look at other airlines and industries, not just aviation or service sector, and to see how they are similarly being impacted by this worldwide situation. You may not like what Willie Walsh has done, but do you seriously believe anyone else would have acted any differently to try to keep BA as a viable business?
To those concerned, I hope you enjoy your strike reflecting your union's suicide tactics and the inevitability that your redundancy is now fast approaching. To those cabin crew that have not voted to strike, but now face an even harder future, you have my sympathy.
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I think that the BA Cabin Crew are misguided here in voting for strike action. It really is not the time to strike over anything- particularly when BA are in such dire financial straits. This might well be the straw that breaks the camel's back. What then? A once fine airline goes to the wall- it won't be bailed out by HMG- they can't do that- it is a private company. Michael O'Leary will be waiting in the wings. All these highly trained cabin crew who are paid more than double the going rate- £60K for a CSD I ask you! How strong these unions have been over the years to get £60K for a cabin crew member- at the end of the day they are just a number 1 in any other airline. If they go to work for Michael they will find life a bit different!
I suspect that Virgin are rubbing their hands at the prospect of this strike and will be pulling their parked-up Jumbos out of the desert as we speak! Time the BA hosties wake up to the fact that they are paid extremely well- incidentally they would continue to be paid extremely well- that was never in dispute- WW was not going to cut their terms and conditions except for maybe making them work a bit harder! In my airline we now operate many flights with the minimum legal cabin crew, with the service adjusted to suit- it works amazingly- and keeps the costs down!
If these Cabin Crew bring the company down- not an unreasonable scenario- they will only have themselves to blame.
I suspect that Virgin are rubbing their hands at the prospect of this strike and will be pulling their parked-up Jumbos out of the desert as we speak! Time the BA hosties wake up to the fact that they are paid extremely well- incidentally they would continue to be paid extremely well- that was never in dispute- WW was not going to cut their terms and conditions except for maybe making them work a bit harder! In my airline we now operate many flights with the minimum legal cabin crew, with the service adjusted to suit- it works amazingly- and keeps the costs down!
If these Cabin Crew bring the company down- not an unreasonable scenario- they will only have themselves to blame.
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The Strike
I may have lost the plot here, but did 90% plus of the 14,000 BA cabin staff vote to go on strike, or was it 90% of the 3,000 staff who went to the meeting at Sandown?
If the latter presummeably 11,00 cabin staff will still want to work and not go on strike.
If the latter presummeably 11,00 cabin staff will still want to work and not go on strike.